Queen City Hoops Player Preview: Anthony Tolliver

Anthony Tolliver is/will be a 28 year old journeyman small forward, backing up MKG at the 3 for the Bobcats. He is an inefficient scorer, decent rebounder, and not much else. He does give the Bobcats a bit more size to play at the 3, standing 6-8, which will be a welcome change from Gerald Henderson and Jeff Taylor sliding down to the 3, as frequently happened last season.

In backup roles the past two seasons with Minnesota and then Atlanta, Tolliver has not managed to crack 40% shooting from the field. The good news – that’s in part because of a heavy reliance on 3-point attempts, so he’s at least taking the high-value shot. The bad news is that he is not great from long range, shooting just 34% last season from deep, and at 32.5% for his career. Over half of his field goal attempts last season were from long range, so the Bobcats will certainly be seeing a change in style when MKG heads to the bench.

Rebounding is an area of relative strength for A-Toll (get it? Because the Bobcats have to pay him. Fine – you top it). Tolliver averaged about 6 rebounds per 36 minutes in his last two seasons – so, solid, not spectacular for the position. Another nice thing to mention: Relatively strong with the basketball, averaging just 1.3 turnovers per 36 minutes. Granted, he didn’t have the ball in his hands a lot but it is acknowledged.

A-Toll provides the Bobcats with a viable backup at the 3 spot for the coming season, something they lacked in 2012-13. However, I would expect to continue to see plenty of small-ball lineups for the Cats in the year ahead, as Tolliver is not such an upgrade as to negate the Bobcats 3-guard lineup as a potential source of offense.

That’s it – as I told the rest of the crew at QCH, I felt like Wayne and Garth trying to pitch Deleware (Wayne’s World for those who do not get the reference – yes, my pop culture references are 20 years old. Deal with it).